William "McKenzie" Snooks was one of 20,000 African-American men who broke the color barrier by serving as a United States Marine during World War II. Nearly 70 years later, he's honored with a Congressional Gold Medal.

Snooks had fallen ill and had to spend time recovering in the hospital. His wife, Elaine, couldn’t bear the thought of him missing such an honor, so she decided to recreate the event and invite friends and family.

"I'm very, very proud. He is a very good man and he deserves this day," said Elaine Snooks.

William Snooks was one of 20,000 African-American men who broke the color barrier by serving as a United States Marine during World War II. Snooks doesn’t talk about his tours much, but he did take time to reflect on Saturday.

"I miss my comrades who fell, never to be seen again. It brings tears to my eyes, even today," he said.

Snooks and his comrades are such an important piece of our nation’s history, but his wife said he didn’t want all the attention.

"He was a little reluctant in the beginning. I asked him [if he would mind if I did this], and he said, 'Do you really want to?' I said, 'Yeah, I really want to, because you deserve it,'" said Elaine Snooks.

Family members from as far as Michigan and Texas attended the ceremony for Snooks in Penn Hills. He told Channel 4 Action News that he already picked out a spot in his bedroom to display the medal.

Photos: Rankin veteran receives Congressional Gold Medal

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A Rankin Marine received a Congressional Gold Medal on Saturday in Penn Hills in front of close friends, family members and fellow comrades.